Rabies claims sixth life in Thailand

BANGKOK, March 20 (TNA) - Rabies claims a life of a 14-year-old girl in Buriram, the sixth death in Thailand. The girl was infected after she was scratched by a rabid puppy, a pet in her house. The case raises concern over pet owners, who might ignore giving vaccination to their puppies. Disease Control Department (DCD) director-general Suwanchai Watthanayingcharoenchai said the girl was scratched by a puppy her parents raised as a pet in October last year but she did not have vaccine after the incident. On March 15, this year, she had difficulty swallowing food and water, confusion and discomfort. She was rushed to hospital before she was pronounced dead there. The DCD director-general warned pet owners to have their dogs vaccinated every year. Those, who are bitten or scratched, must wash their wounds first and rush to see the doctor for vaccination. Regarding the current rabies situation in the capital, Aswin Kwanmuang, Bangkok governor said there is no new temporary outbreak zone. About 250,000 doses of vaccines in stock are enough for dogs and cats in all 50 districts. Mobile units are working to give the animals anti rabies shots. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will convene a meeting on rabies prevention with local authorities of surrounding provinces on March 21 as most outbreak zones in the capital are outer areas, adjacent to surrounding provinces. This year, the infections in dogs are found in northern Bangkok, connecting Pathum Thani. (TNA)